I don’t know what to do!!!

[TPico]

This is the last chick in my incubator. I’m on day 26 and I did a water candling when I heard this little guy peeping inside. Afterwards I waited a few hours and heard no sound. So I candled to make sure they were still alive. After calling around I finally reached a farm where they told me that because it was so late hatching if I assist the chick would probably be disabled. Then I decided to partially help and give it a small hole to breathe. I saw the chick move its beak under the hole. After a few more hours I decided to make the hole larger because maybe it needed more help. After making a larger hole I saw the membrane still on the chick and stopped. I coated it with the coconut oil and put it back in the incubator. When I’ve checked on the chick from time to time I can see it moving around a bit almost like it wants to come out but it’s also not making any effort to try. And it hasn’t peeped since I started opening the hole. It looks like it wasn’t done developing because of the veiny membrane even though it’s almost a week passed its due date. Is there anything I should do?

 

[Debbie292d]

When did the others hatch?

Is there any reason why this one is on Day 26, like was it put in there a few days later than the rest? Chicks take 21 days and a day or two late isn't unheard of, but five days late is very strange.

I'd hate to tell you to go ahead and get him out of there if he's really not fully developed yet.

 

[TPico]

When did the others hatch?

Is there any reason why this one is on Day 26, like was it put in there a few days later than the rest? Chicks take 21 days and a day or two late isn't unheard of, but five days late is very strange.

I'd hate to tell you to go ahead and get him out of there if he's really not fully developed yet.

No, all 12 eggs were put in at the same time. And I followed the incubator directions to a T. Out of that batch only 1 hatched on the 21st day, 2 were stillborns and the rest were unfertilized. And then there was this one. On lockdown the temp stayed at 75.

 

[Debbie292d]

On lockdown the temp stayed at 75.

Do you mean the humidity? Temp should have been 99.5F

 

[TPico]

Do you mean the humidity? Temp should have been 99.5F

Yes sorry, the temp was 100 and the humidity was 75

 

[Debbie292d]

Yes sorry, the temp was 100 and the humidity was 75

I would get yourself a hygrometer/thermometer to check the settings of your incubator as you shouldn't have had two "stillborns" and this one shouldn't be taking so long. It's hard to explain why one hatched at Day 21, and this one's still not out at Day 26. I think at this point I'd just get him out.

Use a tweezers and keep picking the shell away around its head. If you see veins or hit one, then stop and put him back in there. If not, keep going until about half the egg is off of it, and put it back in so it can finish. The less you do, the better for him.

 

[TPico]

I would get yourself a hygrometer/thermometer to check the settings of your incubator as you shouldn't have had two "stillborns" and this one shouldn't be taking so long. It's hard to explain why one hatched at Day 21, and this one's still not out at Day 26. I think at this point I'd just get him out.

Use a tweezers and keep picking the shell away around its head. If you see veins or hit one, then stop and put him back in there. If not, keep going until about half the egg is off of it, and put it back in so it can finish. The less you do, the better for him.

I was worried because the membrane still looks like it has the red veins. It makes the chick look like a tumor within the shell. So since it’s not drying or brown I was afraid to touch it and do more harm than good.

 

[Debbie292d]

I was worried because the membrane still looks like it has the red veins. It makes the chick look like a tumor within the shell. So since it’s not drying or brown I was afraid to touch it and do more harm than good.

I just see a tiny tinge of blood there, but if it's more than I can see, then give it a few more hours. The important thing is that it's breathing and can get out, unless there's something wrong with it.

 

[TPico]

I just see a tiny tinge of blood there, but if it's more than I can see, then give it a few more hours. The important thing is that it's breathing and can get out, unless there's something wrong with it.

Ok thank you for the advice

 

[Debbie292d]

Ok thank you for the advice

You're very welcome! I've hatched over 500 silkie chicks this year alone, and it doesn't get less exciting, that's for sure.

I have to run for a bit, but let me know what happens. Good luck!